Well, we are at it again!

A little over a week ago, you mobilized on extremely short notice to support music therapy in South Carolina. You wrote letters, you called your legislators, and you even came to the state house to testify in subcommittee.

We are one step closer to a registry of music therapists in South Carolina thanks to you!

A Registry for music therapists would:

Ensure that all music therapists in South Carolina were qualified.  Music Therapists would be required to maintain their board certification credential in order to legally practice music therapy in the state. The board certification establishes a base line of required knowledge and ensures you are working with a qualified professional.

Helps businesses and other agencies recognize music therapy’s legitimacy. Currently, there is no documentation in state regarding music therapy as a healthcare profession. As a result, music therapists are unable to get into some facilities that could greatly benefit from their services, or they practice in positions that do not utilize their skills (example: my first job as an Activity Therapist for SCDMH).

Greater awareness of services. Music Therapy is still an unknown to many professionals. Having a registry would not only elevate our profession to their eyes, it would also validate us as professionals in the state where currently and in the past, a large amount of education has been required to banish the “travelling minstrel” perception of music therapists.

These are just a few of the benefits we are set to reap from passing a registry in South Carolina. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the bill, as well as what benefits you anticipate!

This workshop isn’t really about making music. It’s about making connections, strengthening relationships, and sharing in something universal.

It’s about making mistakes and loving them. It’s about using all of yourself to create. It’s about it being gone in a heartbeat.

Music provides us with the ability to interact directly in the moment with each other. Through music, we are able to communicate in a way that words cannot come close to. We negotiate, accommodate, and change all within the space of a few drum beats. We are successful, we are together.

It’s about spontaneously making up a song to help a child learn a skill. It’s about not caring when your voice cracks or you drop the beat. It’s about taking all of that and folding it into a huge life experience.

I hope you will come join me. We’ll be talking about ourselves, our lives, music, and making music from 6:30-7:30 on February 23, 2012. You can RSVP to me here in the comments, on the Facebook event page, or call/e-mail me. Space is limited and there will be refreshments.

You’ve found a music therapist who will be a good fit, now it’s time to get to the details regarding delivery of services.

Some music therapists are what we lovingly refer to as “travelling music therapists”. They often work out of their home and spend a large portion of each day on the road travelling from client to client.

Some music therapists work out of a single location (or a combination of locations!). They have a dedicated clinical space in which they see clients for music therapy.

And then there are those who perform a mix of both, based on time, scheduling, client needs, and a variety of other factors (like myself).

If your music therapist is a hybrid like me, how do you determine where to have services delivered? While the therapist can indicate a preference, it is ultimately up to you!

Here are a few things to consider when making this important decision!

The Client: The person receiving the services is of the utmost importance. Are they capable of travel? Are they easily distracted by environmental sounds? Would getting out of the home for therapy be beneficial to them? If possible, ask the person receiving the services what they would like. You can always change it later.

Environment: One of the biggest learning points for me in my growth as a therapist has been that location and environment is everything! Distracting noise, toys, people, and more can be extremely detrimental to therapeutic progress. If you chose to have sessions take place in your home, make sure that it is in a setting in the home that is the most conducive for your loved one. The home environment also has the benefit of being comfortable and familiar, which is an issue that has to be addressed when having sessions in a clinic.

Cost: Travelling to a client’s home to deliver services takes more time than providing services in a clinic. The cost of this additional time can be manifest in hour or mileage charges. This additional cost can often be a factor in where you chose to have your loved one receive services. If the benefits of one situation outweigh the costs of another, then you have your answer!

Convenience: Convenience is very important. You are receiving these services for your loved one because they need them, but if the manner in which they are received isn’t comfortable and convenient for you, you will be less satisfied! What scenario meets YOUR needs best?

These are just a few things to take into consideration. Ultimately it is up to YOU to decide, but doing so with open communication with your therapist will pave the way for a smooth, beneficial relationship!

What are your thoughts on in home vs in clinic therapy sessions? Share your thoughts in the comments!

We’ve all experienced the wall that can thrown up between two people that care about one another. Be it parent and child, brother and sister, husband and wife, or any other combination of roles that we play in life, we’ve been there in one form or another. The internet is full of examples on how to tear down this wall. Possible solutions range from waiting it out, to gifts, to detailed responses based on the communication styles of that person.

But what about music?

I want to share with you three ways that music can tear that wall down without a single consult to Dr. Phil, or any other self proclaimed guru.

1) Forget your own tunes. Have a mandatory ride in the car? Sharing the same house? Play a song that they enjoy, even if you don’t like it. Preferred music makes us happier, even if we are trying to fight it. Experiencing that music with someone automatically creates a connection. Try discussing the music afterwards to open up conversation or just remain silent and allow them to speak.

2) Make some music. Music clears the air. It provides an emotional connection and the opportunity to alter our own emotional state. Music creates and fills its very own space and helps to recharge both yourself and the person on the other side of the wall. Similar to #1, be sure to not play a type of music that is counter to the tastes of the other. A piece that is mutually enjoyed provides the best opportunity.

3) Invite them to play. There is an intimate connection that occurs when two people make music together. Regardless of the abilities of the person on the other side of the wall, making music with you creates a connection. Start by offering an instrument or asking their opinion on what you were playing in #2. The best thing about this method is that words are not required. You can be present in #1 or #2 and this can organically occur.

I’ve used these techniques both in my personal and professional life. They have opened conversations, created connections, encouraged tears, and been the cause of a lot of laughter. A foundation of music making is beneficial for these interventions, but not required. If these tips seem daunting,  music therapist can help to navigate the choppy waters of the relationship to a musical resolution!

What are some of the ways that you use music to break down walls? Share your tips and stories in the comments!

In the therapy world, both music and otherwise, there has been discussion of video therapy sessions. While I am not sure if that is yet a viable option for the children I work with, I do want to take a moment to explore another option.

Consultation. There has been recent discussion about consulting services as music therapists. The thought is that those who cannot access music therapy services could still benefit from a music therapist’s expertise through a means other than direct in session contact. While this would not provide direct music therapy services (which would be the most advantageous), it would still put the family in a situation to where they can benefit from music as well.

In a state with under 100 music therapists, to me, this is brilliant.

Imagine a once or twice monthly skype or phone call with a nearby music therapist who has been familiarized with your loved one, and can share with you ways to utilize music to teach skills, manage behaviors, connect, and allow them to express themselves! When I think of the families around me who cannot access my services due to location or cost, this solution really seems ideal. While they are not participating in and benefiting from music therapy and the focused interventions that would entail, they are still able to benefit in some way form our body’s natural responses to music!

This could also apply to organizations who might not yet be able to fully fund a music therapy position. The music therapist can instruct the staff on ways to enhance their clients lives musically so that there can be some benefit from music until the funds to hire the music therapist for sessions can be allocated.

What are your thoughts on this form of music therapy consultation? Do you think that this is a viable way for you and your loved one to benefit from the therapeutic capabilities of music? professionals, what are your thoughts on equipping others with ideas and skills to use music at home?

These are all possible avenues that music can be made as a part of the community. As musicians, many music therapists find themselves in these types of setting to exercise their non-therapist musician muscles and to make music for themselves.

But many music therapists are also finding themselves at the helm of similar organizations focused on providing community music making opportunities for those who have challenges that may prohibit their participation or limit their success in other community groups.

During my undergraduate degree, I was honored to participate in a program with the local day center for adults with developmental disabilities. We had a drumming group, a vocal choir, a handbell choir, and a sign language to music group. All of these groups were made up of the center’s participants and music therapy students.

As a result of the music therapy involvement in these groups, the people in them were able to be successful in a manner they wouldn’t have achieved in a different group. While a music therapist for each member may not be practical, here are a few ways a music therapist could aid in a community music group.

Program Material Selection. We chose pieces for our programs that, while they would present a challenge, were achievable for our group. While any reputable director of a community music group would do the same, understanding each person we worked with truly made this a successful process.

Understanding of Individual Struggles. As therapists, music therapists understand the variety of challenges that arise for those with different abilities. As music therapists, we understand how to musically address those challenges and provide the opportunity for success and growth.

Custom Tools for Learning. My professor, Dr. Chesley Mercado, had created a keyboard of sorts that was connected to a flashing light that sat in front of each handbell player. Since many of the participants couldn’t read music, and would struggle to follow a score even if their notes were highlighted, this enabled anyone who could see and sound a bell to be successful!  Creating opportunities for success in music is what a music therapist is best at!

Consultation. I think it would be fantastic for community music groups to really focus on integration in their groups. A music therapist could consult with these groups about ways to go about achieving a high level of success and enjoyment for all members of the performing group!

Do you know of a music therapist involved in a community music group?  Do you know of a community music group who could benefit from having a music therapist involved? What are some other ways music therapy and community music making could integrate? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Now change the cast of characters to a group of teenagers, some of which know each other, some of which may hate each other. The rhythm may change, but the drumming goes on.

One more casting change. Change the teenagers to a group of older adults. Again, the rhythm may change, but still the drumming goes on.

The above scenarios are just a few selections from what can happen with group drumming. Drums (and other rhythm instruments of course!) are accessible to everyone. With a little guidance and encouragement, each of us has the ability to be a successful drummer.

But why drum?

Success. In each of the scenes mentioned above, the cast was composed of non-drummers, and the drumming went on. In order for the drumming to go on, success needs to happen. As one of our oldest music making methods, drumming is also the easiest to be successful at. Create a group of people who will experience success simultaneously and you have created a gateway for other drumming benefits.

Teamwork. For the employees, teamwork is necessary to get the job done. For the teenagers, teamwork is necessary to help them develop social skills and supports to stay out of trouble. For the older adults, teamwork is necessary to help them continue to feel connected and social. Drumming manages to accomplish this without having to mention the word teamwork once!

Well Being. When you are drumming, it’s hard to think about everything else. You are focused on creating your sound with the rest of the group, and all of the interactions going on. Feelings of doubt, worries, and apprehension all fade away. As the drumming evolves, so does the group, and each individual within. In fact, research has shown group drumming to be effective against stress, anger, and burnout. It’s even been shown to increase the activity of our immune system.

The research into the benefits of group drumming is really only just beginning. Since drumming is already a part of many music therapist’s toolkits, the number of areas we use it can only grow!

I mentioned two common settings for group drumming the be used therapeutically, but I’d love for you to share more with me! Therapists, what’s another way you’ve drummed? Non-therapists, what setting would you like to drum in?

And if you do already know about Music Therapy (which, if you are reading my blog, you probably do!), how can you get access to top notch music therapy services?

Since 2005, the American Music Therapy Association and the Certification Board for Music Therapists have collaborated on a State Recognition Operational Plan. The primary purpose of this Plan is to get music therapy and our MT-BC credential recognized by individual states so that citizens can more easily access our services. The AMTA Government Relations staff and CBMT Regulatory Affairs staff provide guidance and technical support to state task forces throughout the country as they work towards state recognition. To date, their work has resulted in 35 active state task forces, 2 licensure bills passed in 2011, and an estimated 10 bills being filed in 2012 that seek to create either a music therapy registry or license for music therapy. This month, our focus is on YOU and on getting you excited about advocacy.

As mentioned in the above quote, the primary purpose of our State Plans has been to provide access to music therapy services. I have had countless phone calls from parents and loved ones who want music therapy services, but for a variety of reasons cannot access them!

While I am a member of my state task force here in South Carolina, the job is not ours alone! If you, as someone who is receiving or wants to receive music therapy services, can get excited about the possibility of opening the gates for others to experience change through music, you can help too!

There are several ways that you can show your support of music therapy!

• You can tell your neighbor about the stellar services you receive.
• You can tell people in your community about the stellar services you receive.
• You can talk to other care provides (like physicians, therapists, case managers, etc) about the stellar services you receive.
• You can tell your state legislators about the stellar services you receive.

“Well Natalie, that sounds like a good idea, but how on earth do I do that?”

The neat thing about spreading the word about music therapy is that it is easy too!

• You can have the conversation over coffee with a friend.
• You can host a music therapy group at your home with those you think should experience it.
• You can post on facebook or twitter about the awesome session you or your loved one just had (thanks to those who have already!!).
• You can write a letter to or schedule a meeting to have a conversation with your legislator.
• You can put your other healthcare providers in touch with your music therapist and let them be educated.

You already know that music therapy is a valuable tool. I hope you’ll join myself and others  in trying to increase access to services. I’d love to hear if you have any other ideas about how you can spread the word. Leave a comment below if you have an idea, have been involved, or would like to be involved in making music therapy available to all who need it!

With the opening of each new year, I clear my head and envision my hopes and dreams. Doing that in December of 2010 was difficult. I had no idea what to expect. In the previous months I had just opened a business, quit my job, celebrated a year of marriage, and honestly felt as if I was going crazy.

I will borrow my friend Kat Fulton’s term and say that on New Years Eve 2010, I “set an intention” for a successful and not so stressful year. In doing that, I paved the way for my own sanity, and the openness to let this fall in my lap! I couldn’t express more pleasure at how the year has turned out, so I’m going to indulge myself to relive it briefly!

Living With Support

To anyone here who knows me, I can be fiercely independent at times. This year has brought me the ability to recognize and appreciate the help that comes my way, and to remember to be grateful for all of those people (namely, my husband) who have helped me be successful this year.  This newly honed ability has led me to my next achievement of 2011.

Letting The Universe Work

So much magic has happened this year simply because I paused my worrying and let the rest of the world spin for a moment. As a habitual worrier, this has been a gigantic step for me! I fully believe that doing this enabled me to be open to the opportunities that have come my way: manifested as clients, contracts, friends, speaking opportunities, and more!

Manifesting My Passion

I realized early this year that I am stoked about students. I had the opportunity to speak to some awesome students at the South Eastern Regional Conference, I shared my posts about Preparing to Be a Professional on this blog, wrote an e-book,  and I launched the No-Nonsense Professional where I focus solely on creating new professionals! Having the opportunity (and inspiration in some other amazing people) has been phenomenal, and I can’t wait to do even more in 2012.

Achieving Some Serious Focus

Marie Forleo and Laura Roeder’s B-School really changed how I looked at myself, my business, and my whole purpose for being here. The unexpected gain from B-School was an introduction to this phenomenal tribe of ladies whose services I totally plan on utilizing at some point in the future!

Working With Some Seriously Awesome People

I wouldn’t be sitting in my office writing this right now if it weren’t for the wonderful people who I work with. First in line are my clients. I have the honor of bringing joy and healing to children and older adults. They keep me learning, on my toes, and constantly in awe of their abilities. Thank you to them. Thank you a thousand times.

My colleagues are inspirational. My colleagues are hilarious. My colleagues keep me learning, keep me motivated, and keep me positive. This year has brought to light the realization that while I am a solo business owner, I do not work alone. How cool is that? Special gratitude goes to Kimberly Sena Moore and Virginia Driscoll for hosting my guests posts, the Music Therapy Ben Folds Fans for starting something unstoppable (Rachel See Smith, Kat Fulton, Virginia Driscoll,  Meryl Brown, and Jamie George), the Music Therapy Round Table for having me on their special conference episode, Janice Harris for having me on The Music Therapy Show, and the students of the South Eastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association who didn’t think I was full of hot air at their keynote!

So what do I hope for in 2012? I hope for stability. I hope for calm waters. I hope for more connections to the wide world around me. I hope to keep enjoying life like I have this year. I want to keep growing, manage the growth, and be able to reach out to support and be supported even more!

What do you hope for in 2012? Let me hear it in the comments below!

While many of us are taking it easy from our “day jobs”, it is still extremely important to care for yourself! The holidays can be a great source of stress if you don’t remember to give yourself a moment to just be.

This year, my little family is staying in town and doing a very low key Christmas. We didn’t even decorate because I realized that doing so would stress me out. We still have gifts. We are having a family dinner (for both my husband’s birthday tomorrow, as well as at the farm on Sunday). We might go camping. We will definitely be lazy.

My decision regarding how we are spending our holiday was based on the uptick in work I’ve had recently. While this is great for me, it’s also taken some adjusting that makes a stressful holiday not seem very appetizing! Things have slowed down just a bit for the holiday, so I am taking the opportunity to really care for and love myself in a few special ways.

Clearing My Schedule I was originally going to take zero days off for the holiday since Christmas lands on Sunday. That changed when I realized that my husband would be off for his birthday. I called and canceled the few clients I had scheduled for that day and I plan to clean house for dinner, exercise, and pamper my husband as much as I can on his big day.

Playing Music I Enjoy This is always a big one. I have been playing pieces I want on piano and guitar, and during a shopping trip yesterday I sang to all the songs playing in the mall. I normally keep myself from doing that too much, but with all of the neat versions of popular tunes playing, I couldn’t help myself. (and I also love what my friend Rachel Rambach gave her students! I might need some of those myself!)

Learning Something New Technically this is happening after the new year, but I signed up for Kat Fulton’s Intro to Toning Class! She probably doesn’t remember, but over a year and a half ago, I asked her about toning and she pointed me towards some resources. I skimmed it and was interested, I just didn’t do a good job following through. Kat is teaching an online course about toning in January, and when I saw it, I jumped! I’m so excited to learn something new that I can incorporate with my clients!

Shopping for ME I do not hide the fact that I have an awesome mother-in-law. Her gift to me for the past two Christmases has been to take me shopping at the outlet malls in Charlotte. Since I don’t shop very often, it was definitely a piece of self care that I needed!

How are you taking care of yourself during the holiday? I’d love to hear what you are doing for YOU!